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Difference between revisions of "After School (group)"

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In August 2011 After School began their official expansion into Japan by releasing their first Japanese single "[[Bang!]]", a Japanese version of their third Korean single of the same name.
 
In August 2011 After School began their official expansion into Japan by releasing their first Japanese single "[[Bang!]]", a Japanese version of their third Korean single of the same name.
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===Playgirlz, Japanese tour and New Admission===
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After School's third Japanese single was a double A-side single consisting of two songs, "Rambling Girls" and a Japanese remake of their 2009 hit "Because of You". The single was released on January 25, 2012, and debuted at #6 on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart.
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After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released on 14 March 2012. The album contains all their Japanese singles plus a Japanese version of their latest Korean single, "Shampoo", and 6 original Japanese songs. The regular edition of the album also includes a Japanese version of Orange Caramel's, a sub-unit of After School, "Shanghai Romance" as a bonus track. On February 29, 2012, After School digitally released a promotional single, "Just in time", to promote the new album which was released the following month. "Just in time" is also used in a Samantha Thavasa commercial featuring After School themselves. After School are also models for Samantha Thavasa.
 +
 +
In March 2012, After School, who are keeping busy in both Korea and Japan, were recently selected as representatives for the Japanese food company Hanryuen. The company presents Korean food, including Bibimbap (boiled rice with assorted mixtures) and a variety of fusion foods.
 +
 +
On March 14, 2012, After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released in Japan. The album debuted at #6 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart, with estimated sales of around 13,000 on the first day, and #9 on iTunes Japan. The album debuted at #8 on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart with sales of 16,000.
 +
 +
After School will be starting their first Japanese tour titled Playgirlz in April. With a total of three dates, the tour is scheduled to kick off at the Zepp Tokyo on April 27, followed by the Zepp Nagoya on April 28. The tour will then finish in Namba, Osaka on April 30.
 +
 +
On April 9, 2012, Pledis revealed a brand new member would be added to the group in May, ahead of their Korean comeback in June. The member was officially revealed to be Ga Eun, who will join the group for their Korean comeback in June.
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Revision as of 22:51, 9 April 2012

AFTERSCHOOL promoting PLAYGIRLZ (2012)

After School (애프터스쿨) (known as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan) is a Korean pop girl group, formed by Pledis Entertainment. They were originally a five member group modeled after the Pussycat Dolls, however in February 2009 Pledis announced After School would become the South Korean Morning Musume and added U-ie to the group in April 2009. With their new 6th member, After School released 3 digital singles, but on October 29, 2009 So Young left the group. Pledis announced in November 2009 they would be adding a new member that was a trainee with the company. However, on November 17, 2009, 2 new members were revealed; Raina and Nana. On March 17, 2010, before their comeback after the release of their second single, an eighth member was revealed, Lizzy, and on December 31 an ninth member was introduced on After School's MBC Gayo Daejun performance, E-Young. In June 2011, Bekah left the group to pursue her original dream of becoming a designer in Hawaii. On April 9, 2012, it was announced that a new member would join the group in May.

In February 2011, the group signed with avex, and debuted in Japan participating on Amuro Namie's collaboration album Checkmate!.

Members

Former Members

Sub Units

Information

Debut

After School promoting "New Schoolgirl" (2009)

After School trained for two years and was unveiled in December 2008 at the SBS Gayo Daejeon where they performed the song "Play Girlz", which was later included on their debut single, with Son Dam Bi. Son Dam Bi was speculated to have joined the group, however it was later confirmed that Dam Bi would not be a part of After School.

Initially a 5 member girl group modeled after the Pussycat Dolls, After School officially debuted at Music Core on January 17, 2009 with the performances of "AH!" and "Play Girlz". Their debut sparked controversy due to their sexy image, and they received a call from Music Bank asking them not to perform "AH!" due to the program not having enough time to fit them in the schedule. However, on February 4, 2009, After School was chosen to endorse the Adidas "Me, Myself" global campaign. During this month, it was also announced by Pledis Entertainment that along with their Pussycat Dolls concept, After School would model their group after Morning Musume; the members would "graduate" or leave at a certain stage of the group.

In March 2009, After School acquired a behind the scenes reality show on MTV titled Diary of After School. The first episode was aired on March 1, 2009 and spanned for a total of 4 episodes. Following promotional activities for "AH!", After School planned to continue to promote "New Schoolgirl" with "Bad Guy", the third track from their single. However, the track was deemed unsuitable and was banned to broadcast because a single word of profanity was in the lyrics.

After School promoting "DIVA" (2009)

DIVA & 6th Member, U-ie

On April 6, 2009, Pledis Entertainment revealed After School's 6th member U-ie and sequentially released the MV teaser for "DIVA", their first digital single. "DIVA" was released digitally on April 9, 2009 and After School debuted the track on "M.net M!Countdown" the same day. With Son Dam Bi opening, they were invited to perform as guest performers for the Pussycat Dolls premier concert in Seoul for 6 consecutive nights.

They released their 2nd digital single "Dream Girl", a remake of Morning Musume's "Love Machine" on May 21, 2009; the song was used as the theme song for the Hello! Project Korea auditions show titled "Great Tokyo Girls". The MV for "Dream Girl" was released on May 22, 2009 and they participated along with Bi, Lee Hyori, and Son Dam Bi at a concert held at Kyung Hee University on May 22, 2009; they performed "AH!" and "DIVA".

In July 2009, it was announced that U-ie would make her acting debut in the MBC drama Queen Seon Duk as the young version of Go Hyun Jung's character "Misil". In the same month After School formed a project group with Son Dam Bi and they released "AMOLED" for the Samsung HP model. The song was released on July 22, 2009 and the MV was released on July 23, 2009. U-ie popularity spiked to stardom with her appearances in the drama Queen Seon Duk, the SBS drama You're Beautiful, and the MBC We Got Married variety show.

So Young's Withdrawal & Neo Ttaemune

After School promoting "Neo Ttaemune" (2009)

On October 29, 2009, it was announced So Young left the group in order to pursue an acting career. On November 12, 2009, Pledis announced they would return with a new member who was a trainee with the company. However, on November 17, 2009 teaser photos were released that revealed two new members, Raina and Nana. They released three sets of teaser photos from November 17, 2009, to November 21, 2009.

The MV teaser for "Neo Ttaemune", their 2nd physical single, was released on November 23, 2009. Coincidentally, the song was leaked by Girls' Generation Tae Yeon's MBC Chin Chin Radio program. Towards the incident, Pledis Entertainment stated "It is true that the songs can be aired once it is approved, however, songs are usually aired after the official release date of the album. Considering the varying amounts of time each broadcasting company takes to review, we normally send the songs in early. Wouldn't the pattern be broken if the broadcasting companies aired them beforehand?"

Nevertheless, "Neo Ttaemune" was released on November 25, 2009 and the single reached #1 on the online charts. However, in response to Pledis Entertainment's statement, Chin Chin Radio demanded an apology from the company; the radio program stated "The song had completed its review procedures so we didn't pre-release it. It was already approved. People said Chin Chin has done this before. That is not true. They (other companies) apologized for their previous incidents and released corrections on false reports."

After School debuted "Neo Ttaemune" on MBC Music Bank on November 27, 2009. Following MBC's demand for an apology, Pledis Entertainment apologized on November 30, 2009 saying that the examination schedule had not been followed on their part and that they are very sorry for questioning the integrity of MBC.

After School promoting "Bang!" (2010)

The "Neo Ttaemune" MV was released on November 30, 2009 and the song dominated online charts in less than 10 days. They won their first "Mutizen" on SBS Inkigayo on December 20, 2009. They won the "Best Style Icon" at the "2009 Korean Lifestyle Awards" on December 22, 2009.

In March 15, 2010, After School's official website published a new picture of the group as a teaser for their upcoming comeback. In the photo, an unknown eight member appeared. This new member had her head down and no information about her identity was reveled. One day later the identity of the new member was revealed, a 19 years old newcomer named Lizzy. Also on the same date, After School official website stated the date for their comeback as for March 25, 2010.

Sub-Units & Solo Activities

After School promoting "Hazel Eyes" (2010)

On May 31, 2010, it was announced that After School would split into subgroups. U-ie will not be participating due to her drama activities, leaving 7 members. It was revealed on June 1, 2010, that Kahi would be a solo artist during the solo activities.

In June 6, 2010, the first group was announced, Orange Caramel. The first member was announced on the same day, and this member was Nana. The second member, revealed the next day was Raina. The final member, announced on June 8, was Lizzy. The group's debut mini-album, The First Mini Album, was released on June 17, 2010. Orange Caramel's concept is 'Candy Culture' which means they are be cute and bright, but be innocent and lovely at the same time.

In December 2010, After School released their fourth single "Hazel Eyes". The single, the first on a charity project singles by Pledis Entertainment was released under the stage name Happy Pledis. Bekah did not take part on the release and Pledis only stated that she was taking a two-month vacation in Hawaii.

In December 31, 2010, After School participated on the annual MBC Gayo Daejun. The group performed the song "Bang!" and making an interlude, a new member was introduced. The new member, E-Young, appeared dressed with the same outfit as the group playing an electronic guitar solo.

After School promoting VIRGIN (2011)

In February 2011, it was revealed Kahi's solo debut mini-album's title and cover art. The mini-album, Dorawa Nappeun Neo, was released on Valentine's Day. On the same month, After School Japanese website was open. The group, known as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan, first Japanese release was a collaboration track on Amuro Namie's album Checkmate!. This release was E-Young's first official activities as a member of the group.

Bekah did not participate on Amuro's collaboration, as at that time she was probably still in Hawaii. However she came back for the release of the group's first full album, VIRGIN. In mid-April teasers began popping up for the album, which was later released on April 29th. The album featured an unknown singer credited as "Pre-School Girl Yun Jo", who is presumably a Pledis Entertainment trainee and/or a new upcoming member for the group.

In June 2011, it was announced that Bekah would graduate from the group to pursue her original dream of becoming a designer in Hawaii, after ending the promotions for VIRGIN. In July 11, Bekah released her graduation digital single "Take Me To The Place", and officially left the group.

On the same date as Bekah's release, two more sub-units were announced A.S. RED, including Kahi, Jung-A, U-ie and Nana, and A.S. BLUE, including Juyeon, Raina, Lizzy and E-Young. Both groups would promote their own songs at the same time each one featuring a different concept.

In August 2011 After School began their official expansion into Japan by releasing their first Japanese single "Bang!", a Japanese version of their third Korean single of the same name.

Playgirlz, Japanese tour and New Admission

After School's third Japanese single was a double A-side single consisting of two songs, "Rambling Girls" and a Japanese remake of their 2009 hit "Because of You". The single was released on January 25, 2012, and debuted at #6 on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart.

After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released on 14 March 2012. The album contains all their Japanese singles plus a Japanese version of their latest Korean single, "Shampoo", and 6 original Japanese songs. The regular edition of the album also includes a Japanese version of Orange Caramel's, a sub-unit of After School, "Shanghai Romance" as a bonus track. On February 29, 2012, After School digitally released a promotional single, "Just in time", to promote the new album which was released the following month. "Just in time" is also used in a Samantha Thavasa commercial featuring After School themselves. After School are also models for Samantha Thavasa.

In March 2012, After School, who are keeping busy in both Korea and Japan, were recently selected as representatives for the Japanese food company Hanryuen. The company presents Korean food, including Bibimbap (boiled rice with assorted mixtures) and a variety of fusion foods.

On March 14, 2012, After School's first Japanese album, Playgirlz, was released in Japan. The album debuted at #6 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart, with estimated sales of around 13,000 on the first day, and #9 on iTunes Japan. The album debuted at #8 on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart with sales of 16,000.

After School will be starting their first Japanese tour titled Playgirlz in April. With a total of three dates, the tour is scheduled to kick off at the Zepp Tokyo on April 27, followed by the Zepp Nagoya on April 28. The tour will then finish in Namba, Osaka on April 30.

On April 9, 2012, Pledis revealed a brand new member would be added to the group in May, ahead of their Korean comeback in June. The member was officially revealed to be Ga Eun, who will join the group for their Korean comeback in June.

Korean Discography

Albums

  • [2011.04.27] VIRGIN
  • [2012.06.21] TBA

Singles

Digital Singles

Collaborations/ Other

Japanese Discography

Albums

Singles

Digital Singles

Collaborations

Filmography

Television

Trivia

  • Official Fanclub Name: Playgirlz/Playboyz
  • Official Balloon Color: Yellow

Awards

  • [2009.04.01] Cyworld Rookie of the Month of April
  • [2009.12.20] SBS Inkigayo #1 - Neo Ttaemune
  • [2009.12.22] 2009 Korean Lifestyle Awards - Best Style Icon
  • [2009.12.27] SBS Inkigayo #1 - Neo Ttaemune
  • [2010.01.24] SBS Inkigayo #1 - Neo Ttaemune

External Links

v • d • e
After School
Nana
Topics
Songs · Images · Orange Caramel · A.S. RED · A.S. BLUE · Former Members: E-Young · Kaeun · Soyoung · Bekah · Kahi · Juyeon · Jung-A · UEE · Lizzy · Raina
AFTER SCHOOL - THE BEST OF AFTERSCHOOL.jpg
Korean Albums
Korean Singles
Korean Digital Singles
Japanese Albums
Japanese Best Albums
Japanese Singles
Japanese Digital Singles
Japanese Video Releases
Official Korean Website · Official Japanese Website
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